About half
way along the north wall of the old grottoes, is a deep niche
with a low vault. Here, in the center of the travertine paving
is the tomb of Paul VI, Giovanni Battista Montini from Brescia,
pope from 1963 to 1978. He died on August 6 and was buried on
August 12. His tomb in the earth is covered by a simple travertine
slab, slightly higher a the head, with the monogram of Christ
and the name of the pope; PAVLVS PP. VI. This arrangement follows
the wish the pope himself expressed in his last will: "The
tomb: I would like it to be in the real earth, with a humble sign
to indicate the place and to invite Christian piety. No monument
for me."

Pope John
Paul II would imitate this desire to be buried in a simple tomb,
in the earth.

On the back
wall are 3 fragments of 15th century reliefs of a decorative and
devotional character. In the center is the Madonna with Child, probably
by Tuscan artist close to Isaia da Pisa and active in the second
half of the 15th century. To the sides are two Praying Angels presented
in profile and with united hands, similar to the ones in the sarcophagus
of John Paul II and in the chapel of Bocciata, originally from the
third facade of the tabernacle of the Holy Lance. This area was
arranged by Eng. Francesco Vacchini, the technical director of the
Fabbrica di San Pietro.